10 Auto Winterizing Tips

CarMax's automotive service technicians offer these ten winterizing tips:

1. Check your anti-freeze. The best ratio of anti-freeze to water is 50/50. The No. 1 cause of engine-related breakdowns is cooling system failure. To prevent those breakdowns, have your cooling system flushed every two years.
   
   
2. Replace your windshield wiper blades twice a year. Fill the windshield washer reservoir with freeze resistant wiper fluid (plain water and standard windshield washer fluid will freeze) and keep an extra gallon in the trunk.
   
   
3. Check your battery. If the battery is more than three years old, have a technician test its capacity. Have the alternator tested at the same time. Make sure the battery terminal ends are corrosion-free.
   
   
4. Check your tire pressure. Check the pressure when the tires are cold, and set the pressure to the car manufacturer's recommendations for your specific tires. When the weather turns cold, the air inside the tire will contract and the pressure will drop.
   
   
5. Look at the tread depth on your tires. Put a penny headfirst between the treads. If you can see the top of Lincoln's hair, it's time to replace the tire.
   
   
6. Check your spare tire. Make sure it has the proper air pressure and tread depth and that all the proper tire-changing equipment is in the vehicle.
   
   
7. Make sure your lights, heater and defrosters are working properly.
   
   
8. Check all rubber hoses and belts to ensure they are not damaged. Coolant hoses wear from the inside out. Inspect for heavy cracks or chunking in the belts. Alternatively, have a professional inspect all hoses and belts.
   
   
9. Have your car's brake system checked. If you haven't had the system inspected in the last six months, have this performed.
   
   
10. Assemble a winter emergency kit for the trunk of your vehicle. It should include a blanket, extra boots and gloves, an ice scraper, windshield washer fluid, jumper cables, a first-aid kit, flares, a small snow shovel, a flashlight, kitty litter (for traction when stuck in snow) and bottled water.
    "It's a good idea to have a full gas tank," Damon said. "You never know when you will be caught in a storm or need to change routes."

Along with following these tips, it's also important to read your owner's manual and follow the manufacturer's recommended service schedules. Not only will these tips keep you safe in the winter months but they can also improve your vehicle's mileage while also preventing future repairs down the road.

CarMax Advises How to Avoid Flood-Damaged Cars

In the wake of recent flooding, CarMax, Inc., (NYSE: KMX), the nation’s largest retailer of used cars, is advising consumers on how to avoid purchasing flood-damaged vehicles.

"Consumers should be aware that some businesses and individuals may try to sell salvaged and flood-damaged cars without revealing the vehicle history," said Jason Day, Atlanta region vice president of purchasing for CarMax.
Flood-damaged cars that are not structurally or mechanically sound could be repaired, re-titled, and sold to unsuspecting buyers."

CarMax’s purchasing team offers these ten tips for identifying a vehicle with possible flood damage. If any of these signs are identified, ask further questions to determine if flood damage occurred:

Check for a moldy smell inside the car and feel the carpet for dampness

Be suspicious of an older car with a brand new interior or carpeting

Check for rust under the brake or gas pedals

Look for dirt or rust under the dashboard and floor mats

Inspect the bolts and screws under the seats for evidence of rust

Check the undercarriage for excessive rust

Check inside the trunk under the carpet and in the spare tire well area for rust, dirt or sand

Look for corrosion, water marks, or a thin brown line on the exterior of the vehicle

Check to see if the electrical system works

Check the VIN number with AutoCheck or Carfax to see whether a flood claim has been filed or a salvage title has been issued on the vehicle

Mileage is Top Reason for Depreciation

An online survey by CarMax, Inc found that most Americans see mileage as the top reason for depreciation, even over an accident. Other major reasons were frame damage and not keeping up with regular maintenance, which was chosen more by women than men.

The results of the survey:
Vehicle mileage - 33%
Accident or frame damage - 24%
Keeping up with regular maintenance - 22%
Current market data - 12%
Flood damage - 7%
Title issues - 2%

Insurance Fraud on the Rise, Costing Everyone Higher Premiums

The National Insurance Crime Bureau found a sharp increase in "questionable insurance claims" with the current economy. Insurance fraud is costing Northwest Households about $300 per year in higher premiums.

Seattle NICB investigator, Scott Wagner, says so far this year vehicle arson is up 27% nationwide. In many cases, he's found that vehicle owners are behind on their payments so they torch it and call it stolen. "The car ends up burning and the insurance company ends up finding out that they're four months behind on their payments," said Wagner.

In another example, Wagner shows a surveillance video of a woman pulling her S.U.V. into a Seattle restaurant parking lot. The video seems innocent enough, until she walks away from her car - forever. "She parked her car, set her alarm and then left and reported it stolen," said Wagner.

According to the NICB, in the first quarter of this year compared to the first quarter of last year, vehicle owner give-ups are up 24 percent.

Darrin Sanger with the Northwest Insurance Council calls insurance fraud a crime against everyone. He says that's because in the end all of us pay in the form of higher premiums. "When someone commits insurance fraud they're not just stealing from insurance companies," said Sanger, "They're stealing from fellow customers."

A recent study from the NICB shows property/casualty insurance fraud costs Americans nearly $30 billion each year.

The Northwest Insurance Council offers a reward for citizens who help investigators track down people who've committed insurance fraud.


Thank you to King5.com

Amazing Savings!

These Sav-on Clients were the top 10 savers through our Graduate Department for March! These savings are over the course of 6 months!!

Top 10 Savers:
Viktor L. of Kent $1207
Brandi S. of Renton $1004
Rosa L. of Renton $832
John B. of Edmonds $753
Miguel C. of Seattle $720
Olga P. of Kent $540
Tim H. of Bellevue $502
Johnny R. of Tacoma $468
Amber K. of Lynnwood $413
Erica V. of of Snoqualmie $411

The total savings was 33% and the total dollar amount saved was a whopping $13,844 !!

New Car Shopping Tips Part 2

You can do several things to ensure you get the best value possible when shopping for a new car. If you have a good relationship with a dealer, you’re in great shape. Otherwise, here are some tips:

Determine a Fair Price
First determine the fair price. Edmunds and FightingChance are both resources for finding this information. And furthermore, we've tracked down a spreadsheet to help determine what you want at the price you can afford. Click here.

Use The Competition
After finding the fair price, fill out a free quote request from the following: InvoiceDealers, Cars.com, Yahoo!Autos, Autos.com, Edmunds.com, MyRide.com and CarsDirect.
You'll shortly be contacted by the internet sales manager. Tell them up front that you are working with multiple dealers. Give them the details on the car you are looking to purchase, and ask them to give you a bottom line price including all dealer fees. At this point, tell the dealer that you will not be trading in a car. If the subject of financing or special financing deals come up, tell them you will deal with this later and are only interested in the price of the car, not what your monthly payment will be.

Get Your Financing In Check
Before anything, you need to find out your credit score by going to Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. This determines your APR.
The dealership is not the only place where you can get new car financing! Try online lenders Up2Drive and FirstAgain.com. No credit or poor credit? Try AutoCreditFinders

Find Your Trade-In Value
Use Kelley Blue Book or NADA to find out your private resale or trade in value. You should determine what will work best for you.

Let The Negotiations Begin
The key to getting an accurate offer from the dealer is to request that they give you the out-the-door cash price excluding rebates, incentives or trade-in's. The price should include all dealer added fees. At the beginning, don't let them use your trade-in or financing as part of the negotiation.

Tell the dealer that you will be paying cash and you will be selling your existing car on your own. Get the starting price from each dealer that you have made contact with. Then, take the lowest price and contact each of the other dealers. Tell them, another dealer offered me $XXXX.XX and ask if they can beat it. After round 2, take the lowest offer and repeat. At some point, they will stop going lower. You can tell that it is a fair price, by using the free "offer" spreadsheet, as well as forcing the dealers to compete against each other. Once the dealers have stopped lowering the price, contact the dealer which gave you the lowest price and say you would like to purchase the vehicle.

Now is the time to negotiate your trade-in value (unless you decided to sell it on your own). If the dealer doesn't offer you something close to the Kelly Blue Book price threaten to walk. Once you have agreed upon a fair trade-in value or decide to sell it yourself, you are ready to negotiate your financing.

NEVER NEGOTIATE BASED ON MONTHLY PAYMENT
Only negotiate based on the interest rate of the loan. There are many “games” the dealer can play with loan term and down payments amount. By this point you should have your quote from Up2Drive or FirstAgain.com. Tell the dealer what rate they have offered you and ask if they can beat it. There is a good chance they will say "we can't beat the rate but if you finance with us you can get a $1500 rebate.” You have to be very careful here. Sometimes it is better to take the lower rate instead of the higher rate with the rebate. Use the spreadsheet, to figure out which is better. If the dealer offers you better financing, by all means, take it. If the Up2Drive deal is better, follow the instructions to use the check that you should have in hand to complete the transaction. Some dealers will try and scare you away from using Up2Drive by saying their checks bounce and they won't take it. This is not true. Tell them either they can take the check or you will find another dealer that will.


HUGE thanks to Jeff's CarBuyingTips.com